I noticed that there hadn't been a new poll in a while, so I thought I'd come up with something. And being the travel lover I am (make that frustrated travel lover as it's been more than a while since I've been anywhere ) I thought I'd ask about your travel style and preferences.

You can give more than one answer. Since it has several variables, more than one answer is expected.

When I was thinking up questions, I was mostly thinking of a trip one might take on a long-ish holiday/vacation rather than a week-end getaway. Anyway, it's a jumping off point. Feel free to add any other ideas.

On our recent trip we took the train from Picton to Christchurch, and then from Christchurch to Greymouth. The latter was a disappointment, because it was raining the whole way, with low clouds obscuring the mountains (when we got to them). But the trains were lovely, and the coast route was spectacular.

Most places we go, I try to find good B&B's (private homes that take guests, with comfortable rooms and usually a fantastic breakfast every morning). I go with recommendations of TripAdvisor.com. The cost is roughly equivalent to a **** hotel, but whereas that class of hotel will charge extra for breakfast, internet, everything in sight, it's all included in a good B&B, plus extras: many give you tea when you arrive (with biscuits), wine or sherry in the evening, other goodies. In addition, the surroundings are far more comfortable, and at breakfast the hosts and other guests exchange helpful hints about things to do, and are often very interesting people.

On our recent trip to NZ, several of the places we stayed were in the country, with sheep (of course), deer, ostriches, alpacas, and other animals, as well as dogs and cats!

We have stayed in wonderful B&Bs in the US, England, Australia, and New Zealand.

I just need a towel, the answer to Life the Universe and Everything and a human called Arthur Dent who looks eerily similar to a certain hobbit. But since Vogons won't be building a bypass through earth anytime soon, I'd say I like to have everything planned in advance.

She and a friend of hers go on a road trip about every month and they almost always stay in the sort of B&B you describe. They are both outgoing people persons (people people?) so they really enjoy socializing with the owners and other guests. I can certainly see the appeal, but I think I'd be a bit uncomfortable. It's not like I'm noisy or messy - in fact I'm neater than usual in a hotel - but I'd feel like I needed to be extra quite and careful with it being someone's home; I couldn't relax. However, I do like small family-run hotels. They are friendlier than chain hotels, but they are impersonal enough that there's no pressure to socialize. I know it sounds odd to prefer an impersonal hotel, but I'm often shy in person (though you often can't shut me up on-line ) and if I stayed in someone's home, I'd feel rude if I didn't make an effort to socialize. Maybe one day I'll develop my mom's ease with people because, in theory, I think B&Bs sound great and would love to stay in one someday.

The hosts usually have separate living quarters for themselves. In my experience, they take their cue from the guests... they'll greet you warmly, perhaps offer some tea, show you around, and ask if you need anything. After that, you're on your own. They're happy to chat, offer advice about local restaurants or attractions, etc., but certainly don't expect you to act as though you were there on a social visit.

Similarly, if there are other guests at breakfast, some will be chatty and most won't.

I'm basically an explorer. I'm not a daring trailblazer or anything, I just like rambling around, seeing things in my own time, in my own way. When I lived in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i and then in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I would hear or read about something then hop in my car and head that way. Sometimes I got side-tracked and didn't see what I set out to see, but I almost always enjoyed something else that I serendipitously stumbled upon. In both those places there is something beautiful around every bend in the road. I'm afraid I take my home state of Oklahoma for granted and haven't explored it as much, but it has a beauty of its own that, until recent events made it difficult, I had been making a point of observing and appreciating.

When I've had the good fortune to live and/or travel abroad, I've done a bit more planning for trips, but I still like to play things by ear. I usually devour the relevant guide books to learn about the country/city I'll be visiting, learn the basics of getting around, and study tips on how to avoid lines etc. Otherwise, I have few definite plans. I will sometimes take those hop-on-hop-off tours to get oriented, but otherwise, I just like to wander. I eventually make it to the places I definitely want to see, but along the way, I stumble upon wonderful things. Sometimes I "discover" famous places that I had overlooked in the guidebook. Somehow those places seem more special to me, as if they are, in fact, my discovery.

However, when I was living and teaching in Poland, I took the opportunity that the holidays afforded to visit other countries. On those occasions, I didn't have access to English language travel guides for cities outside Poland, so I had to fly blind. The school had a computer, but I didn't have the chance to do much research. I literally looked at the departures board at the Krakow train station to see which destinations looked interesting and do-able in the time I had. I visited Prague and Budapest with nooo idea what to expect. No reservations, no plans...but in both cases, things worked out well. Okay, a few stumbles along the way, but ultimately, things worked out well.

Anyway, I normally stay in small inexpensive family-run hotels. I like the idea of hostels, but I also like my privacy, so I've never tried one. I'm not a real foodie, so I'm not interested in high-end restaurants. I usually eat breakfast in my hotel, just have a snack for lunch, then eat dinner in whatever small, friendly looking restaurant I find. I try to avoid overly touristy places, but, as I usually travel alone, I look for places where I won't feel too strange asking for a table for one. In Italy, I always make time for a gelato or three.

Sorry for rambling on I really, really miss traveling. There have been quite a few votes, but I'd like to hear more about everyone's travel preferences.

I've crossed the country, gone up & down the west coast, and traveled from Texas to LA on the train. My dream is to take the Trans-Canada train.

I mix it up, travel-wise. I love road trips where there's no plan at all, we just drive down whatever road takes our fancy and find new places to stay (or camp). I also like renting a house with other folks as a base camp for exploring an area. Did that a few years ago with my niece, brothers, sister-in-law, and Draupne and Eledhwen so we could show them the red rock country around Moab. I'm also an avid hiker & skier so I like trips that incorporate those activities. But I also like spending a couple of days in a big city & seeing the sights.

the things that seemed likely to be right around the corner have never materialized - or are at least slow in coming. And some of the things that seemed far-fetched have already come to pass...and in some cases have been surpassed. BTW, I'm still waiting for my personal jet-pack

I very much like travel by train--especially if the destination is a city. I am NOT a city driver so arrival by train is pretty much a must. Train travel can be fun and low stress--when one is not in a big rush (Amtrak seems to be kind of "relaxed" about that detail at times) I have paid a bit more for lodging in order to be in a location from where I can take off on foot and go around and see what I can see. And I do tend to pack in as much sight-seeing as I can.

It's a shame the weather did not co-operate for your Trans-Alpine trip (I haven't done that one yet and it is definitely on my list). I have been up the coast by train and loved it. Even the car journey on that route is lovely.

It was a total surprise how much I enjoyed staying IN the city; but Wellington is magical. 15 minute walk in any direction and you're either climbing a mountain or standing by the water or enjoying an old section of the city transformed into a stree closed down to become an oasis of shops, restaurants and fountains ;)

I do plan an itinerary simply so I don't forget where I'm supposed to be when... like, this airline at that time, and reminders of what I'd like to see (i.e. Botanic Garden, Miramar, Embassy Theatre, Museums, etc.). But I really want to just leave my time open and uncluttered. Then if I want to fill in the spaces/time, I do :) Walking in the gardens, parks, and woodlands is the best.

BUT, trips are few and far between. I really do prefer to be home. This upcoming trip will be my last one... unless I can, someday, save enough to get to NZ again. I'm homesick for Wellington.

Real adventures don't have to be expensive, in fact, l often find they are quite cheap.

I've done a fair amount of camping, a tent or a van is useful, campgrounds are cheap. A portable "cupboard" of non-perishable food, a few "campstoves" made from tin cans and candles or sterno, good to go.

A sea kayak packed with a day's worth of supplies (and a cellphone in a waterproof box for when you have to call the Coast Guard) is the ultimate travel tool. You can go as fast or slow or as far as you want (check the wind and tides, and weather). You can float in 6 inches of water, or hit the ocean waves. You can see lots of stuff from the water, wildlife etc., that you can't see from land.

An option here on the East Coast of the US, and in the Chesapeake Bay region (a vast inland sea) is a number of historic reproduction tall ships that do public sails. Some are only a few hours, some are all day, some are a few days to a week. They're really affordable (from like, $20 for a couple hours to $300 for a few days on an 1812 privateer), and they are educational and participatory (they let you help raise sails and sometimes steer the ship). Spending a day in soggy rain in early spring (in "foulies") riding a stout 60' topsail schooner (Sultana, 1769 reproduction) across the choppy waters of the Bay was one of the great moments of life...